The central government has taken a big decision to reduce dependence on foreign imports in the defense sector and to manufacture defense equipment in the country. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has announced that defense equipment worth Rs 3,070 crore will be manufactured in the country. This will provide a big opportunity to the Indian defense industry, especially small and medium enterprises, micro, small and medium enterprises as well as companies working on new technology.
Defense Ministry has announced the sixth list of indigenization. 405 defense items have been included in this list. From now on, emphasis will be laid on purchasing these items from domestic manufacturers instead of importing them from abroad. This list includes various spare parts, small system components, sub-systems, equipment parts and raw materials used in defense equipment. That is, the focus is not only on making big weapons or military vehicles in the country, but efforts are being made to make every small and big part required in these big systems in the country itself.
Many items included in the new list are used in essential defense equipment of the Indian Army. Various parts required for light helicopters, tanks and light fighter aircraft will be manufactured in the country. This will reduce the need to import any small part of the helicopter or fighter aircraft from abroad if it breaks down. If it is manufactured and supplied in the country itself, it will save both time and foreign exchange.
The Defense Ministry has launched 'Srijan' portal to increase the production of defense equipment in the country. Through this, domestic companies are given an opportunity to manufacture defense equipment imported from abroad in the country. So far, more than 33 thousand defense items have been made available for indigenization on this portal. Out of which more than 15 thousand 700 items have been successfully manufactured in the country.
India's defense production has also increased significantly in the last few years. According to the information given by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, India's defense production record has reached Rs 1 lakh 78 thousand crore in the financial year 2025-26. The country's defense production has increased almost four times in the last 12 years. Therefore, indigenization of defense equipment and promotion of domestic production are likely to further enhance India's defense strength. Overall, the indigenization of defense equipment worth Rs 3,700 crore is not just a decision to reduce imports, but an attempt to strengthen India's entire defense production chain domestically.
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